32 | Strategic genetic selection & innovation A significant aspect of Heughan’s business model involves selling Red Devon bulls to the dairy industry and receiving Red Devon Friesian Cross calves in return. Karen Phelps Millstone Red Devons continues to use strategic genetic selection and innovative approaches, last year introducing new Australian and English genetics. Offspring hitting the ground from Australian bulls Vix Jatz and Gowan Ross Johan are showing promise of being good growth rate bulls, says stud owner Heughan Gordon, while the English genetics are specifically targeting low birthweight sires for heifer mating. A significant aspect of Heughan’s business model involves selling Red Devon bulls to the dairy industry and receiving Red Devon Friesian Cross calves in return. “Last year we sold the male calves as 110kg bull calves. Some of the heifers we’ve kept through and calved. These have been performing really well. They milk and then if you put them back to a beef sire you have that three-quarter meat breed so they produce a good meaty calf. They are generally a solid black colour, which makes it appealing if you are making lines up for sale,” explains Heughan who is also president of Red Devon Cattle Breeders Association. Founded in 2009 with approximately 30 heifers, the stud has grown to comprise over 100 cows and winter 100 yearlings. The breeding approach emphasises growth rate and structural soundness, with all cattle recorded on BREEDPLAN for birth weight and weight measurements at 200, 400, and 600 days. All females are spring calved and calve at two years of age and males are left entire. He sells a small number of bulls by private treaty between May and October/November each year. The stud has also been at the forefront of genetic developments in polled cattle. Due to decreasing DNA testing costs and increasing veterinary de-horning expenses, Heughan has committed to identifying homozygous polled genetics. By culling horned cattle and strategically breeding, the vast majority of his herd’s progeny are now polled. “I may still keep a really good horned cow but I will make sure it goes to a homozygous polled bull,” says Heughan. He believes this approach is the only way forward, especially with increasing demand for polled cattle. Heughan and wife Carol farm Te Wai Station, a 480-hectare property in Waipukerau purchased in 2020. The move was prompted by the need for more land to integrate their son Ben, who now works as the farm’s stock manager, into the family business. RURAL PEOPLE » Millstone Red Devons In addition to cattle they farm around 2,000 sheep and this part of their business reflects the same innovative approach seen in their cattle breeding. They are transitioning to self-shedding sheep using Wiltshire and Wairere Nudie genetics. Although the low price of wool is a factor it’s not the only reason: “We’re going down the self-shedding sheep path due to the additional work involved with woolly sheep,” explains Heughan. “This year we’ll sell the majority as heavy store lambs to give us more grass to feed to the ewe hoggets and the ewes. It suits our farm better as we have some steep hill country that is not ideal for fat lamb production. So this is a further enhancing of our system to make it work better. Basically at weaning we will kill lambs over 38kgs and the next cut will be 32-38kgs for the store market.” “This year we’ll sell the majority as heavy store lambs to give us more grass to feed to the ewe hoggets and the ewes. It suits our farm better as we have some steep hill country that is not ideal for fat lamb production.” Selected for growth rate and calving ease, EBV’s available 30 recorded bulls for private sale Contact: HG & CL Gordon 368 Boyle Rd, Ashley Clinton, Waipukurau Ph: 027 874 6195 hcgordon@xtra.co.nz Millstone Red Devons www.altitudeonline.co.nz | Taihape 06 388 0860 | Taupo 07 378 7150 Business Accounting • Estates & Trusts • Taxation For easy handling and less stress (just like the Devons) ....
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